Selected quad for the lemma: scripture_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
scripture_n	according_a	rule_n	word_n	3,728	5	4.0830	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A36078	A Discourse about conscience, relating to the present differences among us in opposition to both extreams of popery and fanaticism.		1684 (1684)	Wing D1568; ESTC R8393	25,645	43

he_o that_o fear_v god_n and_o work_v righteousness_n shall_v be_v accept_v act_v 10.35_o this_o proposition_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v no_o doubt_n true_a in_o every_o age_n as_o well_o before_o as_o after_o christ_n time_n there_o be_v but_o one_o way_n of_o salvation_n both_o for_o jew_n and_o gentile_n and_o but_o one_o mediator_n between_o god_n and_o man_n who_o be_v call_v the_o saviour_n of_o all_o man_n though_o more_o especial_o of_o such_o as_o believe_v i._n e._n of_o christian_n no_o other_o name_n be_v give_v among_o man_n no_o other_o mediator_n be_v constitute_v throughout_o the_o world_n beside_o he_o where_o by_o they_o can_v hope_v to_o be_v save_v act_v 4.12_o though_o how-and_a in_o what_o manner_n the_o merit_n of_o christ_n be_v apply_v unto_o they_o that_o have_v no_o explicit_a knowledge_n or_o faith_n in_o he_o be_v a_o mystery_n too_o high_a for_o our_o reach_n and_o therefore_o as_o a_o secret_a thing_n belong_v only_o to_o god_n the_o meaning_n of_o all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v upon_o this_o particular_a be_v in_o short_a this_o that_o there_o must_v be_v not_o only_o a_o rule_n but_o a_o knowledge_n of_o that_o rule_n before_o it_o can_v oblige_v conscience_n three_o there_o be_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o mind_n concern_v our_o action_n a_o judge_v of_o they_o by_o a_o know_a rule_n of_o what_o kind_a or_o nature_n they_o be_v whether_o good_a or_o bad_a well_o or_o ill_o do_v agreeable_a to_o the_o intent_n of_o the_o law_n or_o not_o from_o whence_o arise_v in_o the_o four_o place_n the_o giving_z or_o pass_v sentence_n upon_o ourselves_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o lawfulness_n or_o unlawfulness_n of_o our_o action_n the_o acquit_v or_o condemn_v ourselves_o in_o our_o own_o breast_n and_o judge_v of_o our_o spiritual_a state_n or_o moral_a condition_n whether_o we_o be_v able_a to_o approve_v ourselves_o unto_o god_n who_o be_v the_o strict_a observer_n and_o supreme_a judge_n of_o all_o our_o action_n and_o from_o these_o two_o last_o act_n result_v the_o testimony_n of_o our_o conscience_n which_o if_o it_o vote_v on_o our_o behalf_n yield_v we_o matter_n of_o comfort_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o all_o our_o suffering_n enable_v we_o to_o hold_v up_o our_o head_n with_o joy_n and_o give_v we_o confidence_n towards_o god_n whereby_o we_o may_v draw_v near_o with_o a_o true_a heart_n in_o full_a assurance_n of_o faith_n have_v our_o heart_n sprinkle_v from_o a_o evil_a assurance_n and_o our_o body_n wash_v with_o pure_a water_n heb._n 10.22_o and_o again_o beloved_n if_o our_o heart_n that_o be_v our_o conscience_n condemn_v we_o not_o then_o have_v we_o confidence_n towards_o god_n 1_o john_n 3.21_o but_o if_o the_o testimony_n of_o conscience_n make_v against_o we_o than_o it_o can_v choose_v but_o afflict_v and_o disquiet_v we_o make_v our_o countenance_n to_o fall_v and_o cause_v sad_a thought_n to_o arise_v within_o we_o which_o in_o some_o man_n be_v attend_v with_o great_a horror_n than_o in_o other_o according_a as_o conscience_n be_v awaken_v or_o lay_v to_o sleep_v the_o whole_a transaction_n of_o conscience_n in_o this_o affair_n be_v sometime_o represent_v by_o way_n of_o syllogism_n in_o three_o proposition_n that_o which_o form_n the_o first_o proposition_n be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d this_o make_v report_n of_o the_o law_n and_o draw_v its_o medium_fw-la or_o argument_n from_o thence_o that_o which_o form_n the_o minor_a be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o conscience_n this_o make_v a_o particular_a application_n of_o the_o law_n or_o rule_n unto_o a_o man_n be_v own_o self_n or_o bring_v it_o home_o to_o his_o own_o case_n the_o three_o infer_v the_o conclusion_n from_o both_o and_o be_v therefore_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v the_o judgement_n of_o conscience_n upon_o the_o whole_a whereby_o a_o man_n be_v able_a to_o judge_v of_o his_o action_n and_o pass_v sentence_n upon_o himself_o either_o of_o absolution_n or_o condemnation_n have_v resolve_v the_o first_o enquiry_n what_o conscience_n be_v it_o will_v from_o hence_o more_o easy_o appear_v in_o the_o next_o place_n 2._o what_o it_o be_v to_o make_v conscience_n of_o our_o action_n or_o to_o live_v according_a to_o conscience_n negative_o it_o be_v not_o to_o do_v what_o we_o listen_v to_o walk_v at_o large_a or_o live_v at_o random_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v transport_v with_o humour_n or_o passion_n or_o discontent_n it_o be_v not_o to_o act_v in_o conformity_n to_o the_o opinion_n of_o other_o man_n or_o of_o a_o particular_a sect_n or_o party_n as_o such_o no_o nor_o always_o to_o follow_v the_o dictate_v and_o persuasion_n of_o our_o own_o prejudice_v and_o misinform_v mind_n whereof_o notwithstanding_o some_o people_n be_v so_o very_o fond_a as_o to_o make_v no_o difference_n between_o conscience_n and_o prejudice_n wherefore_o positive_o to_o act_v according_a to_o conscience_n be_v to_o walk_v by_o rule_n and_o live_v according_a to_o law_n to_o frame_v all_o our_o action_n according_a to_o the_o will_n and_o direction_n of_o our_o maker_n who_o have_v absolute_a authority_n over_o we_o and_o claim_v a_o great_a share_n in_o we_o than_o we_o can_v in_o ourselves_o for_o conscience_n be_v under_o authority_n tie_v to_o a_o rule_n and_o must_v have_v a_o law_n for_o its_o direction_n and_o governance_n now_o when_o we_o perform_v our_o action_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o may_v be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o rule_n which_o be_v give_v we_o for_o the_o right_a government_n thereof_o and_o when_o the_o general_a practice_n of_o our_o life_n bear_v some_o proportion_n thereunto_o this_o be_v to_o make_v conscience_n of_o our_o way_n and_o to_o approve_v ourselves_o to_o ourselves_o in_o so_o do_v that_o man_n therefore_o that_o have_v no_o respect_n to_o the_o rule_n of_o his_o action_n nor_o take_v any_o care_n to_o render_v they_o in_o some_o good_a measure_n answerable_a to_o it_o such_o a_o one_o let_v his_o plea_n and_o pretence_n be_v never_o so_o specious_a and_o demure_a make_v no_o conscience_n how_o he_o live_v and_o consequent_o can_v never_o expect_v the_o testimony_n of_o conscience_n on_o his_o side_n much_o less_o be_v able_a to_o rejoice_v in_o it_o now_o the_o chief_a rule_n or_o law_n that_o be_v to_o direct_v conscience_n and_o govern_v our_o action_n be_v the_o canon_n of_o holy_a scripture_n the_o write_a word_n or_o reveal_v will_n of_o god_n this_o lay_v the_o strong_a nay_o the_o only_a obligation_n upon_o conscience_n which_o can_v acquit_v we_o no_o far_o than_o our_o action_n be_v correspondent_a to_o this_o rule_n and_o unto_o which_o all_o other_o be_v subordinate_a and_o may_v be_v apply_v so_o that_o to_o live_v according_a to_o conscience_n be_v to_o measure_v out_o our_o action_n by_o the_o rule_n of_o god_n word_n to_o conform_v the_o general_n practice_n and_o course_n of_o our_o life_n unto_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v the_o most_o perfect_a rule_n of_o righteousness_n that_o be_v or_o can_v be_v give_v we_o and_o unto_o which_o all_o other_o ought_v to_o refer_v it_o be_v to_o live_v in_o obedience_n to_o a_o divine_a command_n and_o to_o subject_n ourselves_o entire_o to_o the_o will_n and_o pleasure_n of_o he_o who_o have_v the_o absolute_a dispose_n and_o government_n of_o our_o conscience_n and_o to_o who_o we_o owe_v all_o the_o duty_n and_o service_n we_o be_v capable_a of_o he_o that_o do_v otherwise_o do_v amiss_o and_o can_v never_o be_v able_a to_o justify_v himself_o unto_o his_o own_o mind_n much_o less_o answer_v it_o to_o god_n when_o he_o can_v do_v it_o to_o his_o own_o conscience_n from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v it_o appear_v that_o conscience_n be_v as_o i_o say_v before_o no_o lawless_a or_o ungovernable_a principle_n no_o prejudice_v or_o discontent_a passion_n no_o affect_a or_o superstitious_a impulse_n etc._n etc._n as_o some_o will_v make_v we_o believe_v it_o be_v no_o tyrannical_a or_o despotic_a lord_n so_o as_o to_o impose_v its_o own_o private_a dictate_v for_o divine_a command_n much_o less_o the_o wild_a extravagancy_n and_o enthusiastic_a conceit_n of_o this_o or_o that_o sect_n under_o pretence_n of_o religion_n whereof_o instance_n have_v not_o be_v want_v in_o this_o nation_n and_o age_n of_o we_o conscience_n be_v god_n substitute_n and_o vicegerent_n and_o can_v act_v or_o impose_v no_o further_o than_o it_o have_v warrant_n or_o authority_n from_o he_o so_o to_o do_v to_o do_v more_o than_o this_o be_v to_o exceed_v its_o commission_n and_o to_o do_v that_o which_o all_o the_o fine_a pretence_n in_o the_o world_n will_v never_o be_v able_a to_o bear_v we_o out_o in_o 3._o notwithstanding_o conscience_n by_o many_o person_n pretend_v to_o it_o have_v be_v wretched_o abuse_v yet_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v slight_v

give_v no_o particular_a command_n either_o for_o or_o against_o and_o upon_o that_o account_n become_v of_o a_o middle_a nature_n between_o good_a and_o evil_a as_o be_v neither_o command_v nor_o forbid_v if_o therefore_o not_o command_v they_o do_v not_o oblige_v conscience_n in_o point_n of_o obedience_n if_o not_o forbid_v they_o offend_v not_o conscience_n in_o point_n of_o gild_n this_o be_v the_o true_a and_o easy_a notion_n of_o thing_n indifferent_a as_o come_v under_o no_o immediate_a injunction_n or_o prohibition_n and_o therefore_o leave_v free_a as_o to_o the_o performance_n or_o omission_n unless_o prudence_n shall_v otherwise_o direct_v or_o lawful_a authority_n interpose_v but_o some_o there_o be_v who_o will_v admit_v nothing_o for_o indifferent_a but_o what_o scripture_n do_v express_o warrant_v and_o affirm_v to_o be_v so_o but_o then_o there_o can_v be_v nothing_o call_v indifferent_a in_o the_o world_n because_o there_o be_v no_o text_n throughout_o the_o whole_a bible_n that_o speak_v any_o thing_n to_o this_o purpose_n or_o make_v mention_n of_o what_o be_v indifferent_a and_o what_o not_o and_o yet_o that_o some_o thing_n in_o or_o about_o religion_n be_v indifferent_a and_o may_v be_v do_v or_o not_o do_v without_o sin_n we_o have_v the_o general_a consent_n of_o most_o of_o our_o reform_a divine_n taederet_fw-la calv._n beza_n bucer_n pola_n p._n martyr_n cum_fw-la plurimis_fw-la aliis_fw-la quos_fw-la omnes_fw-la enumerare_fw-la jam_fw-la taederet_fw-la and_o that_o as_o well_o of_o foreign_a church_n as_o of_o our_o own_o it_o be_v therefore_o sufficient_a warrant_n for_o i_o to_o judge_v any_o thing_n indifferent_a whereof_o the_o scripture_n be_v whole_o silent_a and_o make_v no_o mention_n at_o all_o either_o one_o way_n or_o other_o as_o in_o matter_n of_o external_n rite_n and_o ceremony_n the_o outward_a mode_n and_o circumstance_n of_o divine_a worship_n which_o be_v all_o of_o they_o of_o a_o indifferent_a nature_n and_o wherein_o there_o be_v no_o religion_n or_o sin_n at_o all_o as_o consider_v absolute_o in_o themselves_o and_o strip_v of_o all_o other_o circumstance_n which_o may_v alter_v the_o case_n indifferent_a thing_n therefore_o be_v neither_o good_a nor_o evil_a in_o themselves_o may_v be_v do_v or_o not_o do_v without_o sin_v against_o god_n or_o offend_a conscience_n but_o when_o these_o thing_n which_o be_v indifferent_a in_o their_o own_o nature_n do_v either_o tend_v to_o or_o come_v under_o the_o general_n rule_v of_o order_n and_o decency_n and_o have_v withal_o the_o addition_n of_o lawful_a authority_n to_o re-commend_a they_o then_o the_o practice_n of_o they_o become_v not_o only_o lawful_a but_o in_o that_o respect_n necessary_a though_o they_o remain_v still_o indifferent_a as_o to_o their_o own_o nature_n i_o say_v though_o the_o nature_n of_o they_o be_v not_o change_v by_o the_o superaddition_n of_o lawful_a authority_n but_o remain_v indifferent_a as_o before_o yet_o the_o practice_n of_o they_o be_v no_o long_o so_o but_o become_v a_o necessary_a instance_n of_o our_o obedience_n and_o therefore_o obstinacy_n in_o refuse_v to_o comply_v with_o such_o injunction_n can_v excuse_v from_o gild_n except_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o disobedience_n to_o the_o lawful_a command_n of_o the_o magistrate_n be_v no_o sin_n and_o the_o study_n of_o the_o church_n peace_n and_o quiet_n be_v no_o duty_n for_o the_o clear_a illustration_n of_o this_o i_o shall_v instance_n but_o in_o one_o ceremony_n at_o present_a which_o by_o many_o be_v scruple_v at_o but_o i_o think_v without_o any_o ground_n either_o from_o scripture_n or_o reason_n and_o that_o be_v kneel_v at_o the_o bless_a sacrament_n which_o be_v the_o only_a ceremony_n that_o be_v enjoin_v or_o require_v from_o the_o laity_n in_o the_o communion_n of_o our_o church_n it_o be_v impossible_a we_o shall_v receive_v the_o holy_a sacrament_n without_o some_o gesture_n which_o be_v natural_a to_o every_o action_n whether_o it_o be_v sit_v stand_v kneel_v or_o lean_v i._n e._n incline_v the_o body_n on_o one_o side_n which_o be_v general_o think_v to_o be_v the_o posture_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o disciple_n at_o the_o first_o institution_n thereof_o according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o east_n each_o of_o these_o posture_n consider_v in_o themselves_o be_v equal_o indifferent_a and_o one_o to_o be_v scruple_v no_o more_o than_o another_o because_o they_o be_v all_o of_o they_o natural_a to_o bodily_a action_n kneel_v therefore_o in_o the_o first_o place_n be_v not_o forbid_v in_o scripture_n be_v no_o more_o unlawful_a than_o sit_v or_o stand_v and_o be_v a_o natural_a gesture_n of_o the_o body_n be_v as_o indifferent_a as_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n but_o than_o second_o as_o it_o be_v a_o devout_a posture_n and_o expressive_a of_o great_a reverence_n and_o humility_n than_o that_o of_o sit_v or_o stand_v so_o it_o may_v be_v prefer_v as_o more_o convenient_a and_o suitable_a to_o the_o piety_n and_o devotion_n of_o that_o holy_a ordinance_n than_o any_o other_o gesture_n but_o three_o as_o it_o be_v enjoin_v by_o the_o authority_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n who_o power_n in_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n some_o man_n be_v unwilling_a to_o understand_v so_o it_o become_v more_o necessary_a and_o bind_v as_o to_o the_o use_v thereof_o what_o be_v indifferent_a before_o in_o one_o respect_n become_v convenient_a in_o another_o and_o necessary_a in_o a_o three_o it_o be_v indifferent_a in_o its_o own_o nature_n because_o not_o forbid_v it_o be_v convenient_a in_o regard_n of_o its_o natural_a significancy_n as_o betoken_v more_o reverence_n and_o devotion_n and_o it_o be_v necessary_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o command_n of_o our_o governor_n as_o a_o instance_n of_o our_o obedience_n to_o they_o which_o god_n have_v make_v our_o duty_n and_o that_o for_o conscience_n sake_n that_o action_n therefore_o which_o be_v natural_a and_o indifferent_a convenient_a and_o reverend_a and_o upon_o those_o account_n command_v and_o enjoin_v i_o will_v fain_o know_v where_o do_v the_o vnlawfulness_n of_o it_o lie_v or_o where_o be_v the_o sin_n of_o such_o a_o action_n to_o be_v find_v they_o therefore_o that_o shall_v scruple_n kneel_v at_o the_o s._n sacrament_n especial_o since_o our_o church_n have_v assure_v they_o that_o there_o be_v no_o intention_n of_o adore_v the_o element_n or_o the_o suppose_a presence_n of_o christ_n body_n i_o fear_v understand_v not_o what_o reverence_n and_o devotion_n be_v so_o well_o as_o they_o ought_v but_o discover_v something_o of_o a_o temper_n which_o if_o leave_v loose_a will_v be_v troublesome_a and_o uneasy_a under_o all_o government_n and_o discipline_n though_o never_o so_o so_o pure_a and_o primitive_a notwithstanding_o they_o seem_v such_o zealous_a contender_n for_o it_o but_o pray_v why_o shall_v a_o lawful_a authority_n be_v blame_v for_o do_v that_o which_o particular_a man_n and_o private_a teacher_n do_v daily_o practice_v in_o their_o several_a meeting_n and_o illegal_a assemble_v namely_o impose_v upon_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n and_o require_v their_o submission_n to_o several_a thing_n which_o they_o have_v no_o express_a rule_n for_o in_o scripture_n and_o yet_o make_v this_o the_o great_a objection_n against_o the_o worship_n and_o discipline_n of_o our_o church_n in_o which_o respect_n they_o be_v no_o less_o magisterial_a if_o not_o more_o than_o our_o governor_n who_o upon_o all_o occasion_n they_o arraign_v as_o such_o for_o without_o any_o authority_n from_o god_n or_o the_o magistrate_n they_o exercise_v a_o arbitrary_a dominion_n over_o the_o conscience_n of_o those_o man_n who_o have_v weakness_n enough_o to_o listen_v themselves_o into_o their_o party_n they_o take_v away_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n indifferent_a and_o make_v some_o thing_n necessary_a which_o be_v not_o so_o before_o and_o some_o thing_n they_o can_v dispense_v withal_o as_o indifferent_a which_o be_v necessary_o require_v to_o the_o ensnare_a of_o people_n conscience_n who_o otherwise_o it_o may_v be_v mean_v well_o and_o be_v too_o honest_a to_o suspect_v the_o bottom_n of_o their_o design_n as_o i_o may_v instance_n both_o in_o the_o classical_a and_o congregational_a way_n whereas_o our_o church_n never_o pretend_v to_o alter_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n either_o necessary_a and_o essential_a to_o religion_n or_o only_o accidental_a and_o indifferent_a but_o leave_v they_o as_o they_o be_v she_o only_o direct_v the_o practice_n of_o they_o so_o far_o as_o they_o tend_v to_o order_n and_o decency_n be_v expressive_a of_o reverence_n and_o devoition_n and_o become_v a_o proof_n of_o obedience_n and_o submission_n to_o lawful_a authority_n a_o duty_n which_o i_o can_v think_v so_o mean_o of_o as_o some_o do_v consider_v how_o peremptory_o it_o be_v enjoin_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o many_o place_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o great_a influence_n it_o have_v upon_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o